Cherokee Indian Fair turns 100

CHEROKEE, N.C. (Sept. 17, 2012) – This year, the Cherokee Indian Fair celebrates 100 years Oct. 2-6, 2012. Always a family-friendly event, the annual fair jam-packs fun, excitement, community and entertainment into the week-long fair, engulfing nearly all of the quaint mountain town of Cherokee. Explosive country musical acts headline the week’s nightly concerts, including Sawyer Brown on Thurs., Oct. 4 at 9:30 p.m. and Lonestar on Sat., Oct. 6 at 8:30 p.m.

Perhaps the biggest history-making experience in the Appalachians this year, the annual celebration for and of the Cherokee people will commemorate this century old event over five days, with each day themed to an important part of the Cherokee culture. Parade day, Tuesday, kicks off with the Chief’s Challenge run through downtown Cherokee at 2 p.m. Afterward, the birthday bash continues as bands, community and business floats and several organizations line up to represent in a festive rolling display through downtown, winding its way to the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds to open a night of music and excitement. Wednesday is Children’s Day. The focus is on the kids with special activities and attractions.

Thursday, the Cherokee Indian Fair honors the elders with a special meal, entertainment, activities and recognition. On Friday, Cherokee salutes the armed forces with a day designated as Veterans Day. This year, the Cherokee Indian Fair is honored to host the traveling Vietnam War Memorial Wall, which will be on exhibit at the Cherokee Expo Center during the fair. Saturday’s Community Day completes the week-long celebration, and traditional games, dancing, music, crafts, displays and food will be the order of the day. Every day of this centennial celebration promises to entertain and enchant.

Additional fair festivities include the much anticipated Miss Cherokee Pageants that celebrate and honor the women from several age groups of the tribe and feature beautiful traditional clothing, jewelry and the participants’ unique talents. Festival-goers can also see the traditional Cherokee sport known as Indian ball. The Cherokee version of Lacrosse has been played for centuries and is known as the Little Brother of War. The Cherokee Indian Fair hosts competition among community teams and can be seen regularly throughout the fair.

The fair also always features some of the best food with the biggest variety. From traditional Native American cuisine to carnival favorites like funnel cakes and snow-cones, fair-goers never have a reason to go hungry at the Cherokee Indian Fair. The community arts and crafts exhibits and the Agricultural Extension Office entries and prize winners from the Cherokee communities will continue to be a fair staple and they will be on display all week in the Exhibit Hall. The fair is sure to be a lot of fun for the whole family.

Like the quintessential county fair, Cherokee invites a top-of-the-line carnival to provide amusements all week for the young and old alike. From games to high-tech rides, the carnival is always a welcome feature at the fair. Daily admission to the fair is $10, and tickets are available in advance at www.visitcherokeenc.com or at the fairground box office.

About Cherokee

Explore trails of legends and adventure wrapped in authentic Cherokee culture brought to life in the stories, history, traditions, songs, dances, ceremonies and fascinating period dress of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Cherokee offers activities, packages and itineraries that make visiting an affordable pleasure for all ages and interests. Enjoy cultural festivals and attractions, bonfires, camping, tubing, hiking, biking, birding, waterfalls, water mills, a pioneer village, art galleries and shops, hotels and motor lodges, family fun parks, petting zoos, more than 30 miles of untamed trout waters, Sequoyah National Golf Club, and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel. For more information about Cherokee, visit www.visitcherokeenc.com or call 800-438-1601.